.01 RTP is the place to pursue bold ideas

Bold ideas need a place to grow. We’re talking about ideas that change the way we see the world; sometimes they change the world itself. We’re talking about ideas that cure diseases and define new industries. The ones that transform states and countries. They cut across boundaries and go beyond our era. These ideas move humanity forward.

Our home is built to nurture bold ideas.

.02 Exclusive access to bright minds

Universities are hotbeds of innovation. We’ve formed exclusive partnerships with three of the best universities in the world. These partnerships have benefited everyone; they’ve led to shared resources, groundbreaking research, and graduates working at the forefront of their fields.

50%Associates or Higher

47%Bachelors or Higher

18%Graduate or Higher

We are one of the most educated communities in the country: Nearly 1 in 5 people here has a graduate degree.

We are anchored by our three founding universities: NC State University, Duke University, and UNC-Chapel Hill.

.03 A convergence of ideas and industries

Industries

Government

Universities

It takes the combined strength of many people to bring bold ideas to life. It is in our DNA to share insights, talk through problems, and toss in those wild cards that push the limits of human imagination. Here, independent entrepreneurs, artists, and researchers can work alongside those who work at major corporations and research universities.

Our diversified partnerships bridge the gaps that would otherwise stop a good idea in its tracks. We foster convergent innovation among pharma, agbio, advanced materials, life science and IT to name a few. These partnerships are further supported by collaboration among industry, government, and universities. Collectively, we create innovative approaches to solving the world’s toughest problems.

.04 Resources to power bold ideas

Bold ideas need fuel. Our incubators free up innovators to focus on what really matters. We have plenty of resources, services, and networking opportunities to help launch your bold idea. Together, we’re moving humanity forward one bold idea at a time.

Our incubators at RTP include Frontier, TheLab@RTP, First Flight Venture Center, Alexandria Innovation, BD Bioventure Center and the Accelerator for Translational Biosciences at The Hamner Institute. This mix of resources makes for a lively entrepreneurial community.

.05 A bold generator

0Company Start-ups

0Patents Landed

0Trademarks Received

We celebrate bold ideas that change the course of history. These ideas were groundbreaking for their time. They became so deeply rooted in society that today we wouldn’t recognize our world without them. RTP is a conduit for many of these bold ideas and the spirit of our community lives on within each of them.

Over the years, our partner companies and organizations have won Nobel Prizes and the Pulitzer. They’ve landed 3,256 patents. They’ve received 1,970 trademarks: Astroturf, Taxol for breast cancer, AZT the breakthrough drug for AIDS, the UPC codes that keep track of it all. Just a few of the bold ideas generated by our community.

.06 A Uniquely United Metropolitan Area

Raleigh

Durham

Chapel Hill

Community is everything in the Triangle. We are surrounded by three diverse cities: Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill. While each city has a personality of its own, we’re not shy about celebrating our collective quality of life. Our diverse lifestyles give us more perspectives to fuel bold ideas.

Over 2 million people call the Triangle home. Our international airport, RDU, centrally located, is a short drive from every corner, making it easy to connect to the world at large.

.07 A strong foundation charged with success

The most vibrant communities make bold ideas look easy. This serendipitous magic doesn’t happen on its own. It takes committed stewards to connect and support the community—to help each member succeed. We are the Research Triangle Foundation. We are a private, financially independent not-for-profit. We’re dedicated to ensuring a bright future for North Carolinians.